Display case



, New 3, 1&31. c. v. HILL 1,830,547

DISPLAY CASE Filed Feb. 19, 1930 2 Sheets-$heet 1 Hal FM. Z.

NW,- 3, 1931. c. v. HILL 15 DISPLAY CASE Filed Feb. 19, 1930 2 Sheets Shest 2 Patented Nov. 3, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLEMENT V. HILL, OF TRENTON, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO C. V. HILL & 00., I116, 035 TRENTON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY DISPLAY CASE Application filed February 19, 1930. Serial No. 429,688. a

terioration, and in many cities the sanitary regulations require that meats be protected by closures.

One of the problems of such cases 18 to properly light such cases and at the same time conceal the light and many expedients have. been adopted for this purpose, but in most adaptations the cost of the case is materially increased. In many cases the light is within the display case which results in many cases of increasing the temperature in the case as much as ten degrees, which naturally results in the necessity for more refrigeration to hold the desired temperature.

' The object of my invention is to provide a display case with a concealed light outside of the case and positioned to fully light the interior of the case.

Another object of my invention is to position a concealed light on the rear side of a display case; and with these and other objects in view my invention consists of the parts'and combination of parts hereinafter pointed out.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a rear elevation of a display case embodying my invention. 1

Figure 2 is a top plan view of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse section through my case.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing another embodiment of my invention.

The reference numeral 5 designates the bottom section of the case in which, if desired, a suitable refrigerating element may be placed.

The top frame bar or member 6, of my improved case, is much narrower than is usual in such cases, and this is possible by reason of the disposition I make of the light, as will be hereinafter pointed out.

The upper edges of the sloping transparent panels 7 are supported in slots formed in the top strip 6. The upper edges of the sloping rear sliding transparent panels 8 are slidably mounted in and supported by the narrow top 6. The narrow top 6 is formed from a single piece of. material, hence I eliminate the expense of labor and material incident to the usual built up top of such cases.

On top of the bar 6 I secure a wire conduit 9 in which the light wires 10 are housed. A reflector 11 is projected rearwardly and downwardly from the top 6 with its lower edge within one-half inch of the panels 8 so that the reflector is arranged to cover com.- pletely'three sides of the light 12. If desired, this reflector may be formed integrally with the wire housing 9 and is provided with a light socket13.

A shield 14, preferably but not necessarily formed of a metallic plate, is arranged above the frame bar 6 and forms thereabove a space or channel in which the wire housing 9 is disposed. This shield has a downward front portion or flange 14a which is suitably secured to the forward edge portion of the bar 6 and closes said space or channel at the front, and said shield has a rear portion which projects beyond the rear edge portion of the bar 6 and downwardly to form a curved hood 14?) which overhangs the upper portion of the panel 8 and coacts with the bar 6 to provide a light chamber communieating with the aforesaid space or channel and in which the reflector 11, lamp12 and socket 13. By this arrangement the lamp and reflector are disposed to provide light and reflect the same at a downward and forward angle through the panel 8 into the showcase and thus illuminate the showcase to clearly display the goods through both panels 7 and 8, while the bar 6 and plate 1 L serve as shields to prevent any glaring rays of light from shining directly forward into the eyes of the customer. It will be observed that the intermediate or body portion of the shield, i. e., that portion between the flange 14a and hood 14b is flat, or substantially so, and is of materially greater width than the bar 6. As a result of this construction the body portion of the shield is designed and adapted to. serve the function of a service shelf or counter of adequate Width over which goods may be passed and on which goods or other articles may be rested for display or for convenience of the shopman and customer in conducting transactions. This arrangement allows a frame bar 6 of very narrow width to be employed and the forward edge of the panel 8 to be extended at least up to the transverse center line of the showcase so as to reduce its angle of inclination and permit the light rays to be conveniently cast downward at the center-of the storage chamber of the showcase, while at the same time enabling a service counter of suitable width to be employed. It will be observed, further, that by the construction described the hood is shielded from the direct rays of the lamp by the reflector and the reflector and coacting parts of the lamp fixture are insulated from the shield 14 by an air space through which air may freely flow to carry off the heat and prevent the transmission of any material degree of heat to the counter portion of the shield 14.

In addition to reducing the cost of the case by reason of the narrow top 6, the light bulb 12 may easily be removed by sliding the panels 8 to one side, whereas, in all cases known to me, it is necessary to remove screws and parts of the case to renew light bulbs. Another advantage in my construction is that I am enabled to use the regular commercial stock light bulbs which are much cheaper than the tubular bulbs now necessary in such cases, besides which, these regular bulbs last from three t-o four times longer than the said tubular bulbs and give much better light.

IVhen lights are placed on the front or in the top of the case, there is more or less glare and reflection. the lights and reflectors showing on each lass panel of the case.

Whereas, by placing the light, according to my invention at the rear and outside of the case, I eliminate all glare and reflection, light the entire inside of the case, w thout affecting the temperature of the inside of the case.

In Figure ,4 I have shown the rear sliding transparent panels 8a with upper transparent panels 8?), but this is merely a suggestion and in no Way affects, 0r alters the function of my invention.

As will be seen clearly from Figures 3 and 4, the light bulb 12 is bodily below the top edge of the transparent panels 8, that is to say, the top of the said panels is beyond the light bulb, so that there are no obstructions to the rays of light between the bulb andthe interior of the case, and I believe that this is novel in the lighting of display cases.

' What I claim is:

1. Illuminating means for a showcase having a narrow top frame bar and a transand reflecting the same into the case through the panel.-

2. Illuminating means for a showcase having a narrow top frame bar and a transparent panel at one side thereof, comprising a shield overhanging said bar and forming an air space or channel therebetween, said shield having a downturned flange at its forward edge secured to the forward edge of the bar and having its rear edge projecting beyond the rear ed turned downwardly to orm a hood overhanging the panel and a light chamber formed thereby bet-ween the hood and bar, the intermediate portion of the shield being substantially flat and of greater width than the bar to provide a top service shelf, a cable conduit arranged in said channel, and a lamp and reflector arranged in the light chamber for furnishing rays of light ande of the bar and reflecting the same into the case through said panel.

3. In illuminating means for a showcase having upwardly converging front and rear transparent panels and a narrow longitudinal frame between the u per edges of said panels disposed so as to ring the forward vedge of the rear panel at least as far forward as the transverse center of the showcase, a shield overhanging said bar and form-,-

in an air space or channel therebetween, said shield having a downturned flange at its forward edge secured to the forward edge of the bar and having its rear edge projecting beyond the rear edge of and of greater width than the bar to provide a top service shelf, and illuminating means in said chamber for furnishing rays of light the bar and turned v downwardly to form a hood overhanging the,

loo I and reflecting the same into the case through the panel.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

CLEMENT V. HILL.

parent panel at one side thereof, comprising 

